RGRPSH412A - Prepare to drive horses in races

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to drive harness horses in races conducted on racecourses in the harness sector of the Australian racing industry. It requires knowledge of race meeting procedures, planning and preparing for races, acquiring high level driving skills, following safety procedures and communicating with a range of officials and other personnel.To undertake this unit the candidate will be able to apply safe horse handling skills and workplace OHS standards.This unit of competency operates in work environments of racing stables, racecourses and public areas.Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit, check with your State Principal Racing Authority for current license or registration requirements.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that are to apply when driving in races

demonstration of driving skills suitable for race driving and making appropriate judgement calls on driving strategies based on a range of common racing scenarios

working with others to undertake and complete race driving tasks that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of horses of different ages and sexes, in different circumstances and in different racing stable and track environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to horses that are being educated and trained in a commercial racing stable under the care of a licensed trainer and the required resources. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.

Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.

Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons, at least one of whom should be approved by the State Principal Harness Racing Authority.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to prepare to drive horses in races. Workplaces include harness stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Race gear will include:

horse gear:

bandages

boots

breastplate

bridle

harness

head check

hopples (pacing)

hopple pins

hopple shorteners

lugging pole

martingale

pull up or down blinds

race bridle and saddlecloth numbers

reins

removable ear plugs or removable hood

saddle

saddlecloth

shadow rolls

sulky

terrets

tongue ties

whip

personal protective equipment:

goggles

helmets

driving boots

vests.

Race gear preparation and checking for safetymay include:

checking fit of gear

cleaning gear, including:

cleaning and oiling leather

washing hardware

washing plastic, rubber and towelling

washing sulky

recognising wear and breakage, including:

cracked leather

gear slippage

frayed girths and surcingles

perished elastic, rubber or plastic

rusted buckles

split or cracked points

worn padding

worn stitching

recognising approved gear

replacing worn or broken gear.

Pre and post-race procedures may include:

assessing camber

attending protests and inquiries

checking for track obstacles or possible distractions

complying with drug testing procedures

discussing horse's chances and likely race style with owner

discussing race instructions with trainer

evaluating surface of tracks

evaluating track rating

following parade yard procedures

inspecting track

knowing colours of other drivers

making and announcing a decision to protest

observing distances between turns and straights

observing length of straights

presenting to the start

providing documentation, including:

clearances

horse identification documents

driver identification documents

trainer correspondence

relating weather conditions to possible racing conditions

reporting horse performance post-race to trainer and owner.

Starting procedures will include:

asking for assistance when required

following officials' directions

listening for name to be called

moving into and maintaining position at mobile barrier or standing start.

Form of own horse and other horses may include:

assessing performance of horses at a range of distances and on different track surfaces